There are a lot of places I'd rather be right now than trapped at home during the coronavirus outbreak. For example, I'd love to be sipping on a zesty aperitif while looking out at the rolling hills of Tuscany or the cerulean blue sea from a balcony in Positano. Unfortunately, I can't transport myself to Italy right now, but I can do the next best thing: Make a Negroni.
In case you're unfamiliar with the humble Negroni, it's an Italian aperitif and cocktail that is meant to be sipped slowly. It is the perfect mix of refreshing, bitter, and sweet.
Best of all, it's made with just three ingredients: Equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth...plus an orange peel for garnish. Stirred rather than shaken, you don't need any fancy ingredients to make it.
But the beauty of the Negroni is that you can customize it based on your preferences. Hate gin? No problem! Swap it for something else. Big tequila fan? Whip up a mezcal Negroni with mezcal, Campari, and sweet vermouth.
Or if you love whiskey, replace gin with your favorite Bourbon, whiskey, or rye. This combination of sweet vermouth, Campari, and whiskey has another name as well — the Boulevardier — but it's no more than a whiskey Negroni!
There's also one of my personal favorites, the Negroni bianco, which is a lighter, more floral take on the classic. This drink is made with gin, white vermouth, and a wine-based aperitif like Lillet Blanc.
